Finding the Best Value Materials Engineering School for You
The materials engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in materials engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
For return on investment in materials engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $88,363. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for materials engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in materials engineering will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for materials engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,123 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $76,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #6 for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,987 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $58,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,987 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #7 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $23,733. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $93,301. That is a strong return on a $23,733 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for materials engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $21,335. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $78,265. Set against $21,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #9 among the best values for materials engineering. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,915 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $72,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #10 spot for materials engineering value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #11 spot for materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $16,097. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $98,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #12 spot for materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $26,475. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #13 among the best values for materials engineering. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $75,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced came in at #15 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best values for materials engineering. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $17,916 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $75,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #17 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $111,998 early in their careers. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $74,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #19 among the best values for materials engineering. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $27,484. Materials Engineering graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #20 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,777 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $74,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,777 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #22 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,823 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,676 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $76,662. That is a strong return on a $20,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #24 position for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $74,058. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University came in at #25 for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $63,135. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s materials engineering value ranking:
Narrow Materials Engineering Schools by Region
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
